Age estimation in Western Indian population by Cameriere's and Drusini's methods.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine applicability of Cameriere's and Drusini's methods in Western Indian population. Methodology: Panoramic radiographs of total 300 Gujarati individuals, equally divided into four study groups were studied by two investigators. The pulp/tooth area ratio (AR) were calculated for maxillary and mandibular canines and tooth coronal indexes (TCI) i.e., the ratio between coronal pulp cavity height and crown height were calculated for mandibular premolars and first and second molars. The acquired data were subjected to correlation and regression analysis and also inter and intraobserver reliability was obtained for both the investigators. Results: The ARs and TCIs for all the respective teeth were significantly correlated with the age of the individuals. The individual regression formulae were derived for all the teeth and were then used separately to calculate the age. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean chronological age and mean calculated age for all the teeth.(P > 0.05). The mean absolute errors for all the teeth were <10 years. Conclusion: The findings of this study prove the applicability of Cameriere's and Drusini's age estimation methods for Western Indian population. However, the weak correlation coefficients suggest the need for further studies to get more accurate results.

Age- and sex-related mandibular dimensional changes: A radiomorphometric analysis on panoramic radiographs.

INTRODUCTION: Mandible undergoes age- and sex-related structural changes similar to other bones of the body. Thus, morphometric analysis of the mandible helps in age and sex determination. AIM: To investigate the influence of age and sex on the mandible by measuring three parameters, i.e. gonial angle, ramus height and bigonial width. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective radiomorphometric analysis was conducted in the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. A total of 300 panoramic radiographs (150 males and 150 females) equally distributed in six study groups according to the age were analysed. The measurements were performed using DIGORA 2.8 software for Windows. The acquired data was statistically analysed by one way ANOVA test and Student's t-test using SPSS (v. 19.0). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences according to age were found in gonial angle dimensions. Ramus height and bigonial width did not demonstrate statistically significant co-relation with age. According to sex, all the three study parameters showed statistically highly significant differences. CONCLUSION: The morphometric analysis of the mandible is a useful tool for age estimation and sex determination.

Estimation of Serum Protein in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Malignancy - A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: In carcinogenesis, increased oxidative stress and weakened antioxidant defense produces damage to the macromolecules like proteins. Thus, protein can act as potential biomarker in oral premalignant and malignant lesions. AIM: To determine and compare the levels of serum proteins in Oral Submucuous Fibrosis (OSMF), Oral Leukoplakia (OL), Nicotina Stomatitis (NS), Oral Malignancy (OM) and Healthy Controls (HC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 250 participants, were equally divided in five groups i.e., OSMF, OL, NS, OM and HC. Five ml of blood was collected from antecubital vein from each participant. The serum was analyzed for total protein, albumin and globulin levels using EBRA EM 200 semi-quantitive analyzer with the help of diagnostic kits. RESULTS: There were total 193 males and 57 females, who were between 18 to 82 years of age, with a mean of 46.32±13.89 years. The serum protein and globulin levels were significantly decreased in OSMF, OL and NS and increased in OM as compared to HC (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in serum albumin levels between the study groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum proteins can be used as diagnostic and prognostic marker for oral premalignant and malignant lesions.

Pulp/tooth ratio of mandibular first and second molars on panoramic radiographs: An aid for forensic age estimation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the accuracy of pulp/tooth ratio method in mandibular first and second molar teeth in forensic age estimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 300 panoramic radiographs of the Gujarati population (187 males and 113 females) were studied. The measurements of Pulp Chamber Height (PCH) and Crown Root Trunk Height (CRTH) were performed on the mandibular first and second molar teeth. The acquired data was subjected to correlation and regression. RESULTS: The pulp chamber crown root trunk height ratios (PCTHR) of both the first (r = -0.609) and second molars (r = -0.422) were significantly correlated with the age of the individual. Individual regression formulae were derived for both the teeth which were then used separately to calculate the age. The standard errors estimate (SEE) for the first and second molars were 8.84 years and 10.11 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between chronological and calculated age by both the teeth (P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: The mandibular first and second molar is a potential tool for age estimation in forensic dentistry. The pulp/tooth ratio of both the teeth is a useful method for forensic age prediction with reasonable accuracy in the Gujarati population.

Dental students' knowledge and attitude towards cone-beam computed tomography: An Indian scenario.

BACKGROUND: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an upcoming imaging modality in field of dentistry with promising outcomes. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the dental student's knowledge and attitude regarding CBCT in K. M. Shah Dental College and Hospital as they are future practitioners. METHODOLOGY: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 11 questions was distributed among 320 dental students which included final BDS students, interns, and postgraduate students. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the responses of the participants, and Chi-square test was applied to statistically evaluate the differences in the responses according to the education level. RESULTS: Totally, 96.9% response rate was achieved. All the students had heard of CBCT used for dental practice. The majority of them gained knowledge about CBCT through faculty lessons. Lower radiation dose was given as the most important advantage of CBCT over medical computed tomography. Many of the students thought that CBCT should be taught during clinical phase of their education, and there is necessary for CBCT unit at dental faculties. More than half of the students believed that the use of CBCT would become more widespread in the near future, and they aspire to use CBCT technology in their future careers. CONCLUSION: Seeing the positive attitude, it was concluded that the students' should be provided with thorough practical knowledge and efforts should be made to improve their concepts regarding CBCT.